Choosing work gloves starts with the hazard, and the EN 388 marking on the back of the glove tells you how well it resists abrasion, cuts, tears and punctures. Hands are involved in almost every task at work and are one of the most commonly injured parts of the body. This guide explains which glove types suit which jobs, how to read the markings and how to get the fit right.

Start with the hazard

A glove is only as good as its match to the job. Look at your risk assessment and list what hands actually face: sharp edges, rough materials, chemicals, heat, cold or water.

• General handling: knitted liners with latex, nitrile or PU coatings give grip and abrasion resistance for warehouse and construction work. PU suits fine, dry tasks, nitrile copes better with oily parts and latex grips well in wet or cold conditions.
• Cut-resistant: for glazing, sheet metal, metalwork and recycling, where blades and sharp materials are part of the job.
• Thermal: lined gloves keep fingers working in cold stores and on winter sites. Protection against cold is tested to EN 511.
• Waterproof and chemical-resistant: for wet trades and cleaning roles. Chemical protection is tested to EN ISO 374, and the safety data sheet for the substance should guide your choice.
• Heat: hot work and welding need gloves tested to EN 407. You'll find gauntlets alongside our welding protection.

For quick, single-use jobs such as handling paint, oils or food, disposable nitrile gloves are often more practical than reusable ones.

How to read EN 388 markings

The current mechanical standard is EN 388:2016+A1:2018. Under the shield pictogram you'll see up to six characters, each a separate test result. Higher numbers mean better performance, and an X means that property wasn't tested or doesn't apply.

For cut protection, focus on the letter. It comes from the TDM test, which gives more reliable results for the high-performance yarns used in modern cut gloves, and runs from A (lowest) to F (highest). As a rough guide, lower letters suit general handling with occasional sharp edges, while glass and sheet metal handling usually calls for a higher level. Your risk assessment should set the minimum.

Getting the fit right

Fit matters as much as the rating. Gloves that are too big reduce dexterity and can catch in machinery, and loose fingertips make small fixings fiddly, so people take them off. Gloves that are too small tire the hands.

Measure around the palm at the knuckles, excluding the thumb, and check the result against the manufacturer's size chart, as sizes don't always line up between brands. A common mistake is wearing gloves near rotating parts such as pillar drills or lathes, where a glove can be drawn in. Follow the machine's safe system of work.

When to replace work gloves

Replace gloves as soon as they're worn, torn or contaminated. Damaged gloves give a false sense of security: a coating worn through at the fingertips no longer grips, and a chemical glove that has started to swell, crack or stiffen may already be letting the substance through. Keep spares on site so nobody carries on with a damaged pair, and see our guide on when to replace workwear and PPE for wider checks.

Gloves are part of your wider PPE provision, so the same legal duties apply. Our guide to PPE and the law explains what employers must provide.

Quick answers

What does EN 388 mean on work gloves?

EN 388 is the European standard for gloves that protect against mechanical risks. The marking shows ratings for abrasion, cut, tear and puncture resistance, an A to F cut level from the ISO 13997 test, and a P if the glove passed the optional impact test.

What is the highest cut level for work gloves?

Under EN 388:2016+A1:2018, F is the highest ISO cut level and A is the lowest. The right level depends on the task, so choose the one your risk assessment calls for rather than simply the highest.

Do employers have to provide work gloves?

Yes. Where gloves are needed to control a risk that can't be removed another way, the employer must provide suitable PPE free of charge. Since April 2022 this duty also covers most casual and agency-type workers.

Compare grip, cut-resistant, thermal and chemical styles in our work gloves range, or contact our team for help matching gloves to your risk assessment.